Cuts & More Cuts

The after Christmas break brought in a large crowd today. I was surprised due to the cold weather. But alas so many in need of services. I did mostly cuts today. It's enjoyable to have the opportunity to get practice on REAL people. As a matter of fact it's been quite awhile since I've worked on my mannequin. Keeping busy is a good thing, makes the day go by so much faster.

I do wish that more of the students would be more motivated to attend school.

How could I forget: today I clipped out the Worst Weave Ever!! Please pass on to all friends and family your weave needs to be well maintained! If you get a weave get a professional or if you must someone who knows what they are doing. Ask for referrals pictures and so on. Please make sure they are using BROWN thread if you have BLACK hair. This helps when cutting out your weave! And if you go to a Beauty School to have it removed; tips are accepted!! Now don't get me wrong tips are not required but just because we are in training does not mean we are not knowledgable. You want me to take the awful mess out and plan on going to your stylist tomorrow!! SMH

If you do a weave sew neat braid well. Instruct client on best way to maintain and upkeep! Follow up appointments are necessary.

Vacation is Over!!

Glad to have the break. Back to setting up my station at school. Flat Iron cleaned & ready to go. Anticipating what the first ticket will be? Only the weather knows!

Guadalupe!

She is gone. Sniff sniff.....

Styles by Retha!

Today at school, style n' cut. This is a cut, perm & roller set. Another busy day under my belt. Counting down the days. Looking forward to the holiday break. ;)

Really?

I know we have been quite busy at school due to some any students out sick with the flu.

It does give the rest of us the opportunity to work alot harder. Experience is the best of all teachers. I'd still rather do a client instead of working on my mannequin. But it just unnerves me when others do less than acceptable work. Really, what are your guys thinking about?
The, I just don't care is getting to be a bit much.

Most of this stuff you are doing will not fly in the real world.

I'm wondering if they realize the habits you are forming now will carry over with you at work.

Sorry to say, I would not want to work in a salon with you.
I would not hire you, I would not give you a good reference.
I would not want you to work on my hair or any of my friends or family.
It's not acceptable behaviour; at least in my book.

One thing I have learned at school: How Not To BE.

We are having a Winter Break over the Xmas Holiday. I'm looking forward to the time off, I think it's well deserved.

Another Graduation

TLetha is gone; she will be missed.
Congrats.

I'm so glad I talked them into stepping down a few steps, the lighting in this area at school is horrible for pictures. (my photographer side)

Pin Curls & Waves

I did this today at school. Working in the Dispensary; I had time to work on styles on between duties.

Received my Vintage Hair Style book in the mail! Lots of styles to try.

Pin Curls

Lately, I've been obsessed with learning all I can on pin curls. There are two types that I have experimented with the flat and the stand up pin curl. It's better than sleeping on rollers and curling my hair in the morning. I do like the soft waves that the pin curls produce. Neatness is a must. I have learned that by alternating the pin curls will make a soft wave in the hair. In order to get the wave you must alternate the direction of the pin curls clockwise one row and counter clockwise the next. Remember not to forget your alternating. Believe me it's easy, at least for me.

If you are working on natural like mine you must have your hair flat ironed before you start. I have used a side part and started the pin curl at the top of the head. Beginning with pin curling in a U shape at the top of the head and around. Don't for get your alternating clock and counter clockwise.

I order a book on Vintage Hairstyles, and can't wait to receive it. Will post my faves later.

I have included a few You Tube videos on how to achieve pin curl hair styles. YouTube offers a variety of instructional videos on styles, and cut. To me one of the best Theory class demos you can get.

 

 



End of Dec 2012 over 1000 hours!

By the end of December 2012, I will have over 1000 hours! I'm happy at getting closer to my goal.

I'm determined to get as many of my required perms, hairstyles, cuts & so on completed. I tackled the list at a faster pace. I have only 4 haircuts left! Some things I'm over on and others categories just have a few left for me to complete. At the end of December; I might just post my tally sheet! It's nice to be over the number required in certain categories.

Well this evening I've taken out the study guide. It's time to begin the serious study, study & more study. I know everyone says as long as you past, that's the only thing that matters. But I want to pass with a good grade.  I don't just want a mid 70's, the goal is higher. It's just me, but any passing number will make me happy. I want to know I know the material. Not just passing. Just saying.

Looking forward to the New Year in more ways than 1.

Moving on....

It's good to see so many graduate this month. Yay, Carlos.
Always professional.

Student's Leaving

More students will leave this month, and what happens now? There will be so many tickets to be issued; hopefully we will have enough students to get the work done. I will miss them. *sigh*

Looking forward to more students coming to the floor! My level of expertise will expand quick, fast & in a hurry.

Bye James, tomorrow Carlos.......

Haircutting tips for Men

We do a fair amount of men's haircut's at the school but not enough for me. I wanted to share this information. I'm a subscriber to Modern Salon magazine & on line ezine.

If you are a Cosometology Student or someone just graduating from school, I'd suggest you checkout what they have to offer. Lots of informative info.

Anyway, here is a video on 3 types of men's haircuts. I learned several excellent tips from this video and wanted to share with my school mates and other's in the field. It features the Crop, Disconnect & the Fade!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6Ns2czngEcY

Wedding Party

Wedding Party at school Saturday. I got one of the tickets, a birthday lady & more. The bridesmaid wanted lots of spiral curls with height. Or teasing in the top. So I created this look. Some of the curls were left solid till wedding time. Lots of hair spray & instructions to loosen the curls.

Working Smarter not Harder!

Several things that only a cosmetology student would want to know. Before you start on the head of hair know the right thing to get started with. It's important and more than likely will save you some time. A quote from one of my favorite instructors: Work Smarter Not Harder!

Using the right hair brush. I have always wondered what brush for what purpose. I recently purchased a ratting/teasing brush at Sally's Beauty Supply. I found it on sale & like it. Into the brush drawer it went. Have I used it? YES!

Hair combs & their uses.  It's always good to know what is the best comb to use. I love the longer combs for hair cutting. They are usually made of a more durable type of plastic or another substance. I'm quite tired of melting combs when flat combing hair. I'm going to try the flat iron comb; I have not ordered it yet but I'm getting close to making the purchase. If you have used this comb, please post a comment and let me know if it will be worth the purchase.

 



Blow Drying, all I want is a dryer that drys the hair quickly and get it as straight a possible.
If you are in the market for a new dryer the link will give you a few tips. I did check out reviews on the Yellow Bird blow dryer. Mixed reviews some good some bad. I'd only suggest went selecting another dryer or if your dryer goes out, I like the attachments option. If you have a Yellow Bird or another brand that works well for you share your info.

As Flat Irons go I think one that heats up fast and has a range of settings will be your best bet. I have a school issue Babyliss & a professional model by the same company. (It has a higher heating range. When you flat iron you want it to get the hair bone straight.) You will also need to include in your kit a mini flat iron. I have found it useful on shorter hair. Mine is from Sally's Beauty Supply and works fine. I paid only $19.99 for mine. Super cut has pink heating elements. 

 

All I can say spend your money wisely on any new tools that you need and take care of the ones that you have. You must keep them clean, oiled & in tip top condition. They will serve you will and you need them in order to tackle the hair full speed!

More Graduations!

Ashley, Deliah & Melissa have clocked the 1500 hours and moved on!
I'm happy & sad at the same time.
Nice knowing all of them and CONGRATULATIONS on their accomplishment.

 

Cosmetologist License!

 



Moving Forward

Every so many hours we are required to complete a particular set of services on the mannequin.

I fairly proud of my accomplishments for today, State Board Blow/Thermal Curl, State Board Curl Demo, RECONSTRUCT, PERMANENT WAVE, & 4 Hairstyles.  So it was not really busy at school today.....perhaps the weather had something to do with it. If not, it will be lots of working on my mannequin's.

The bold letters are those that I'm most concerned with getting. Worst of worst things that can happen is to be at the last graduation hours and have TONS of services that need to be done. Now, I have talked with other students and they tell me to knock them down. It's not a good thing to be behind.

The hours report has been posted & TDLR has sent me the email.
I'm still waiting on my monthly report card. *double sigh*

I did complete the photo collage of some natural hair styles

turned it in to the front office.

 

Not sure if it will be utlized by the school but at least i made an attempt to get the ball rolling on natural styles and getting the correct terminalogy to be used.

Apple!

Apple Nail Tech graduates today!
I will miss her.

 

 

Applonia graduated and I will miss her. She was so creative in her nail art.

 I'm sure she will be a great asset to a salon.

Progress....

I'm still waiting on my report card from last month. At the end of the month we will have a tally of the services that are left to be done. I have been working daily on getting my services completed.
Trying as hard as I can now, to roll a perm & reconstruct each day.  If not every other day!
I don't want to be stuck in the last weeks stressing over my required things that need to be done.

Today I did the dreaded perm & reconstruct! Yay....along with a few hairstyles on my doll. But the most important things got done first. I'd gladly give up the chatter for the service. Somewhere I have to have a day of fun & frolic.

For those reading and not in Beauty School........we are required to complete
Hairstyles, Haircuts, Chemical Relaxers, Permanent Waves, Rinses, ManiPedi, Facials, Make Up, Scalp Treatments, Waxing,  Dispensary Hours, Draping and that's all I can remember at this time.
*long sigh*

Natural Hairstyles (just a few)

Not too often we get clients in the school who have 'natural hair', that being not being relaxed or in it's natural state. It's possible the hair does have some color processing that has been done, but for the most part, no relaxer has been applied to the hair.

This could be hair is worn in an Afro, Braids, Twist, Twist Outs, Locs or other types of styles.

NATURAL HAIR n: \ˈna-chə-rəl ˈher\:

YOUR UNALTERED GOD GIVEN HAIR AS IT GROWS THROUGH THE EPIDERMIS FROM FOLLICLES DEEP WITHIN THE DERMIS. NOT CHEMICALLY ALTERED, COLORED, CURLED OR STRAIGHTENED BY RELAXERS, TEXTURIZERS OR OTHER CHEMICAL AGENTS AND IS ALSO FREE OF ANY AND ALL EXTENSIONS.


Problem comes in when there is not a consensus on what the client wants or either having an understanding on what the styles are call AND understand the vernacular of the clientele.

Understanding is everything!

 

 

So I decided to list as many references on 'natural styles' that I can. I think this will assist many of the students who attend my school who are NOT familiar with working with 'natural hair'. This needs to really have an additional class of it's own. Looks like we are beginning to get more clients with natural crowns! Either you want to understand and service these clients properly or they will go somewhere else. I enjoy working with natural hair, and welcome the challenge. But is seems fitting to me that if one is attending Beauty School, you would want to know something about this type of hair. Regardless, if you will be working with it or not, you just never know. We are all on the planet together, so you might as well have some type of understanding and knowlege about the subject.

Just sayin'.

 

Two Strand Twist or Rope Twist:  these can be left to hang or ropes to the scalp.

 

 



After wearing this style for a few days or either up to 2 weeks, (needs to be properly maintained) it can be taken down and worn as a Twist Out. May be refered to as a protective styling.


The Twist Out has more of a defined wave or curl pattern, which has been altered by the twisting of the hair. Usually, it relaxes the curl pattern.

 

 

The Afro style is hair in the picked out state or just being left as is, can be shaped with clippers to give a more defined shaping or left alone.

 

 

 

 

 

Locs are hair that has been left to loc on it's own, it's in individual sections. Can be styled various ways. Should be maintained every two weeks. Locs are started from 2 strand twist, coils and or braids. They can be taken out by cutting the hair or picking out. I would not suggest the last method, I would locs for over 15 years, cut length & picked them out. It took over a week to complete!

 

 

 

 

Coils are done with a rat tail comb, they are similar to twist but can be taken down & redone. If left alone they will loc!

 

 

 



 

There are also Flat Twist these are done flat to the scalp usually with a rat tail comb but can also be achieved with twisting of the hair with your fingers. They are similar looking to the Rope Twist to the scalp but no division of the hair section in two sections.

 

 

 

 

The next styles I found are considered Kinky Twist. The crossover to other styles to me so judge for yourself. Perhaps they are called so because hair is added in, I'm not sure. I must do further research.

 

 

So in closing besure you consult with your client and know what exactly what they are wanting done to the hair regarding any natural style. Always begin with a good shampoo & conditioner! Be sure to pass along to the client to keep the hair moisturized!

 

I have added some YouTube videos for you to watch! For more information on natural styling or other technques the videos are endless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Backstage!

This past weekend, I volunteered my time with the cast of the Fashion Opera "The Awakening".

I helped with hair & makeup. Along with me were other students from the Ogle Beauty School.
It was nice to meet other Cosmetology students.

I did find out when exchanging info, Ogle gives an extra class on makeup. They also receive a makeup kit. The class came about due to request by student. With a little jumping up and down they made it happen. Ogle uses the Milady text book.

Anyway back to backstage; most of the models had natural hair & needed makeup application.
All cosmetology students got the experience. This job turned out to be challenging & fun.

Lessons learned; I'd rather they bring their own foundation! This task will prepare all of us to tackle makeup again. Painting the faces were fun. Putting to use your skills. Glad I read up on makeup application.

 

Other makeup tips that I can offer to others students, Translucent Powder, line the eyes, get a good set of makeup brushes. Read & practice your skills. Take pictures! Outside reading, I'd suggest the
Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin.

 



Tabitha!

Congratulations are in order.

Waiting for the Take Over

Once it gets close to going home, you might have to request a take over ticket. This client got a perm today & was waiting for a night school student to complete her service. I could not pass up taking her pic!

Other stuff today: I did get a reconstruct, 2 hair cuts & several hairstyles. I have noticed more women coming into the school for natural styles. It's challenging but rewarding to work with natural. Another favorite of mine!

Natural Hair

At MetroplexBeautySchool we don't get to do many "natural" styles. Twist, Locs, Braiding on natural hair. We get plenty of blow dry/flat irons.

I had the pleasure of seeing 3 different styles this week. I did the rope twist to scalp or aka 2 strand flat twist. So many names. I look forward to those receiving services to spread the word. I don't graduate until Feb 2013. Providing I stay on track!

Here's the Rope Twist.